Photo Project For 2014?

[Mike Farley]

While in Croydon earlier today, I bumped into local photographer Eric Hands who came up with an interesting variation for a Photo a Week project. The idea is that you take just ONE photo a week. If the challenge of taking at least one photo every day was not enough, this seems to have at least a whole order of additional difficulty. No more snapping away and hoping that something will work, each shot will have to be carefully considered before tripping the shutter. No retakes, it has to be right first time and runs entirely contrary to the ease of digital photography. I wonder just how many of us have such willpower?

[davidc]

Sounds like an idea a film-only Luddite would have "digital makes people bad photographers" my bottom!

I'm being flippant of course but to be honest I *like* photography, why limit myself to 52 photos a year? Nice to see a unique idea though it's not for me, feels restrictive for its own sake rather than adding anything to my hobby or improving my skill.

You could suggest one FILM photo a week perhaps but I would again question the educational or motivational benefit when you aren't seeing the fruits of your labour until 36 weeks into the year?

I'm giving serious thought to a Project 50 when I go full frame. Whenever that may be! But I want every single shot I take to be the absolute best quality I can do unlike the 365 where by necessity many days ended up being filler. A project 50 is one photo per day for 50 days with a 50mm lens with emphasis on making every single shot count, so tons of planning and design goes into it. I'm looking forward to taking shots I have had to give serious thought to rather than the more impromptu style that much of the 365 has been. I think it will be extremely challenging!

Anyone else planning a project?

[Mike Farley]

Some time ago I heard of a photographer who takes only one image of wherever he goes in the world. One of those places was in Antarctica and was so remote that at the time it had been visited by less than ten individuals. There have been more people who have gone to the moon. Despite that and the immense difficulty of reaching the location, he still took just the solitary photo with his 5 x 4 camera, packed up his gear and left. That's right, he was shooting film so would not have known until later whether the shot was a success.

I have been trying to find out more information including the guy's name, but so far have not discovered the correct Google search term. There was a feature about him in Amateur Photographer several years ago, but I no longer have a copy of that edition.

I do agree that imposing an artifical limit on the number of shots that can be taken would be an exercise in frustration, especially in the digital age. Even with the cost of buying and processing 5 x 4 film, our Antarctica friend's actions seem rather extreme. That said, I do quite like the idea of taking just one film shot a week. I could use my dad's 63 year old Barnack Leica, which has manual focussing and no exposure meter. Last time I tried to shoot with it, I could not even load the film correctly. That would definitely add a certain frisson to the project.

I am starting to think about my photographic projects for next year. In many ways I have enjoyed the challenge of a 365 and certainly have made many worthwhile images which I would not otherwise have got, but I am not currently thinking of continuing it into next year. It has given me the impetus to take more photographs, so I am looking at ways of continuing to do this but without the impetus of making do with an inferior shot on slower days. I also have some other things in mind, but probably will not make a public announcement unless they come to fruition.

[Paul Heester]

What about a "7 days of self-portraits"?

David's idea of using a 50mm for 50 shots sounds interesting, using a prime takes more thought than relying on zoom lenses.

What about basing a project around a word or phrase or your favourite book? This would benefit from not having a time-limit attached to the project.

[davidc]

I tried to do "7 days of self" earlier in the year, even inviting you guys/work as it can be more inspiring to do when you have others contributing/watching.

I think if we did that as an official club event, working to pre-defined themes that would make for an extremely interesting outcome and great fodder for a club evening/discussion.

The other project I'm considering, without time limit but when I have better camera kit, is "100 Strangers" whereby I intend to approach people randomly in the street and ask to shoot their portraits. I hope to use the hipsters around Shoreditch who I'm hoping will be unfazed by having their photo taken... note I didn't use the word "vain" there

[davidc]

What I have found particularly valuable, outside of my own project, is seeing what Mike & Paul have been up to. Inspiring and educational in many ways. I doubt I'd have even bothered with flower shots at all had I not seen what Mike managed

I'm also creating a photobook for the entire year, including all the stats I've built up over the year, all the associated achievements etc. AND I've started writing a "How to do a 365" book I might try to get published too.

All in all, I can definitely recommend a photo project to my fellow club members, come on I urge you all to do one

[Mike Farley]

I second what David has said here. A photo project can seem daunting, but it really can act as a spur to creativity and learning. Whilst it has definitely been a significant challenge, some days more than others, I have got shots which would not otherwise have happened and I am coming out of this a better photographer than when I started.

As people might know, I do presentations to camera clubs and I plan to prepare a new one around my 365 Project. It is tentatively titled Photo 365, although with 15 days still to go that is not an assumption I am going to make.

[davidc]

Just add "-ish" on the end if you fall at the last hurdle.

[Mike Farley]

Just add "-ish" on the end if you fall at the last hurdle.

I've got continengy plans. Really do hope that I will not need them.